FIBA will begin a new chapter in the development of Asian basketball by relocating its Regional Office from Beirut to Kuala Lumpur, a move that will take effect in January 2027 and will be accompanied by a change in the organization’s executive leadership. The decision, approved by the FIBA Central Board and the FIBA Asia Board, aims to strengthen the federation’s presence in a region that has experienced significant sporting growth over recent decades and continues to establish itself as one of the main driving forces of international basketball.
The change represents more than a geographical relocation; it also marks the beginning of an institutional renewal process. After nearly three decades in various leadership roles within Asian basketball, Hagop Khajirian will step down as Chief Executive Officer of FIBA Asia at the end of 2026, making way for Wasim Khan MBE, a respected sports administrator with extensive experience in the development and management of international cricket. The transition is already underway and is intended to ensure the continuity of key development projects that have supported the growth of basketball across the continent.
Kuala Lumpur will become the new operational hub of FIBA Asia
The return of the FIBA Asia Regional Office to Kuala Lumpur, where the organization previously operated, is part of a strategy to strengthen its coordination capabilities from a city recognized as one of the continent’s leading sports hubs. The Malaysian capital is home to international organizations such as the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and the Badminton World Federation (BWF), providing a well-established infrastructure for regional and global sports governing bodies.
According to FIBA, the relocation will strengthen collaboration with national federations, sports organizations, and strategic partners while also facilitating the organization of competitions and development programs. The decision reflects Asia’s growing importance within the global basketball landscape, where expanding competitions, increasingly professional leagues, and rising interest from fans and sponsors have created new opportunities for the sport.
A leadership transition to continue the growth of Asian basketball
Following the retirement of Hagop Khajirian, the executive leadership will be assumed by Wasim Khan MBE, who will officially take office in January 2027. Khan joins FIBA after a distinguished career in cricket, where he led initiatives focused on talent development, professional clubs, and national and international governing bodies. His previous leadership roles include Chance to Shine, Leicestershire County Cricket Club, the Pakistan Cricket Board, and most recently the International Cricket Council (ICC).
For his part, Khajirian leaves behind a legacy built over nearly 30 years of service to Asian basketball. During his tenure, the Regional Office modernized its administrative structure and oversaw a period of competitive expansion, including the growth of the FIBA Asia Cups, the implementation of the home-and-away qualifying window system, and the creation of new continental club competitions such as the West Asia Super League (WASL), the Basketball Champions League Asia (BCL Asia), the BCL Asia-East, and the Women’s Basketball League Asia (WBLA). After stepping down as Chief Executive Officer, he will remain involved with the organization as Senior Advisor to the FIBA Secretary General, supporting the transition to the new administration.
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